Darryl Ritchings suffered a broken ankle and nose, and bruising to the brain on Thursday night, when he was thrown from his motorcycle during a race meeting in Swindon, Wilts.

Mr Ritchings, from Purton, near Swindon, had ridden for the King’s Lynn-based Young Stars at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old father of one is being treated on a special ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.

Today Lynn Stars spokesman Marc Gent said Mr Ritchings was still under sedation. “They’ve put him in an induced coma to let him heal by himself,” he said. “I don’t know when they’re going to wake him up.”

The young rider’s horrific crash has brought goodwill messages from fans and fellow riders in the close-knit sport.

“As soon as something happens, people gather to offer their supprt,” said Mr Gent.